Executive Director

Position: Executive Director

Reports to: Board Chair

About Congregation Shearith Israel:

Congregation Shearith Israel is an egalitarian, Conservative synagogue located in Intown Atlanta. Our congregation is devoted to spiritual and religious enrichment. We are especially passionate about Jewish education and community building. At Shearith Israel, we are ritually traditional and courageously progressive. For more than 100 years, we have served the Atlanta area by providing an energetic environment for pursuing Jewish spirituality, learning, and friendship. Above all else, we strive to be a warm, welcoming community.

The synagogue was founded in 1904 by a minyan of Eastern European immigrants, who named their community Shearith Israel — “Remnant of Israel” — in acknowledgement of their status as pioneers in the American South, and of their dedication to the tradition from which they had come. During its earlier years, the congregation observed orthodox traditions, and overtime began to draw its orientation from the Conservative movement as well as from Orthodox tradition. In 2002, the synagogue became affiliated with the Conservative movement. Separate seating remains available at the front of the sanctuary for those members who prefer it.

Today, Congregation Shearith Israel serves more than 420 families in Intown Atlanta and beyond. Located near Emory University, Georgia Tech, and downtown Atlanta, the area attracts an increasingly diverse, skilled, and cosmopolitan population of all ages, with a high concentration of young families. Shearith Israel offers morning and evening daily minyans, weekly Shabbat services, children’s education, Sisterhood, adult and family programming and education, and more. Most importantly, Shearith Israel fosters a community of Jewish learning and spirituality in a welcoming, intellectual, yet casual atmosphere.

The Position:

Congregation Shearith Israel is looking for a dynamic and experienced Executive Director (ED) who functions as the chief operations officer responsible for all business affairs of the synagogue. This key leadership role reports to the Board President and partners with clergy and Board of Directors to shape and implement the synagogue’s vision, including establishing policies to effectively operationalize the vision.

The position is responsible for managing the human, financial, administrative, and physical resources of the synagogue, with a focus on continually strengthening operations. As a heavily lay-led congregation, the Board and synagogue committees lead and implement significant projects, events, and on-going offerings that provide the foundation of our engaging, impactful community. Therefore, this role partners with Board members, synagogue committees, and lay leaders to ensure synagogue resources provide the needed support, while ensuring operational and fiduciary integrity.

This role requires strong leadership, a strategic focus, and management acumen along with a willingness to be actively involved day-to-day in a hands-on manner. The position supervises 3-4 staff positions supporting this effort.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Executive Director has a broad range of responsibilities that require a high level of professional competence in the following areas:

Organizational Leadership

1. In cooperation with the clergy, senior staff and Board, guide operations in a manner consistent with the priorities adopted in the congregation’s Strategic Plan.
2. Foster a warm and caring environment so that congregants, potential members, lay leaders, volunteers, and staff feel welcomed, respected, nurtured, and
3. Support the work of the Board and Board committees, as needed, with sound advice, timely and accurate reports and information, and participation in
4. Develop effective and efficient management systems across the organization to track progress on key initiatives, priorities, goals, and performance metrics.
5. Oversee the implementation of policies and practices, and ensure systems are in place to keep policies, operating procedures, and institutional knowledge accessible and current.
6. Participate in organizational goal setting
7. Attend and participate in monthly board and executive committee

Financial Management

1. Manage the financial operations of the congregation, including development of the annual budget (in partnership with the Treasurer), financial planning and forecasting, accounting, and reporting.
2. Maintain efficient and effective financial systems and controls and insurance reviews to safeguard the assets of the congregation.
3. Support Board committees with timely, informative reporting and
4. Ensure compliance with internal policies and pertinent local, state, and federal

Human Resources Management

1. Lead, supervise, and inspire staff with effective team building and training, establishing clear priorities and well-defined performance and professional development goals.
2. Maintain a collaborative work environment built on trust, clear expectations, and accountability that attracts, retains, and motivates an enthusiastic staff of top-quality
3. Manage relationships with outside vendors and

Facilities Management

1. With support of staff and Building and Grounds committee, manage the usage, maintenance, and operation of the facilities in support of the Building and Grounds committee’s plans.
2. Manage vendors and contractors who perform building maintenance and
3. Oversee usage and maintenance of the kosher
4. Oversee parsonage rental by working with the rental management
5. Proactively manage the relationships with entities renting all other
6. Respond to/resolve building emergencies

Member Relationship Manager

1. Work with the clergy, Board and lay leadership to ensure the synagogue’s membership experience is positive, welcoming and supportive to this diverse, multi-generational community.
2. Work with committees to facilitate engagement and
3. Manage congregant relationships to support planning and executing simchas and life-cycle events.
4. Implement best practices regarding membership
5. Represent the congregation to its members and to the broader Atlanta

Programming

1. Coordinate and partner in the planning, promotion, and implementation of synagogue events with the clergy, senior staff, committees, or others involved. The involvement will change for each event based on the role of other partners; however, the Executive Director is responsible for providing logistical expertise that ensures operational success.
2. Plan and oversee the logistics of congregational religious services and observance, with special emphasis on the High Holidays.
3. Help to encourage creative ideas for new
4. Maintain and enhance the annual engagement plan that optimizes space usage, engagement goals, synagogue resources, and audiences.

Fundraising

1. Advise on and actively participate in connecting members with the congregation’s philanthropic priorities and interests.
2. Partner with the Finance Committee in planning and executing fundraising initiatives to support annual operations/programming and to ensure long-term sustainability.

 Communications

1. Support the Communications Advisory Council in developing and implementing a comprehensive communications plan that provides timely, engaging and accessible information to the congregation and broader community.
2. Ensure all communications are accurate and reflect the synagogue’s standards and

Information Technology (IT)

1. Ensure the IT needs of the synagogue, including hardware, software, websites, and other similar electronic communication forms are met in an effective and cost efficient manner.
2. Ensure security is in place to fully safeguard confidential information and protect community devices from malware.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Five years related leadership
• Experience in leadership at a nonprofit organization is a
• Knowledge of Jewish practices and traditions is a
• Personal characteristics desirable, including, but not limited to:
  • A holistic thinker -- who can develop a comprehensive plan for the future, thinking big while keeping the details constantly in view.
  • A people person -- who is outgoing, confident, optimistic, empathetic, engaging, service-oriented, and cultivates relationships with membership.
  • A community builder -- who is resourceful in adapting to changing needs and focuses on options that are inclusive and respectful of differences, continually building bridges.
  • An innovator -- who can develop fresh approaches to meeting needs, both old and new.
  • A team builder -- who empowers and brings out the best in
  • An unflappable problem solver -- who leads with confidence, determination, patience, calm, and positivity.
  • A confidential communicator – who maintains confidentiality on all appropriate sides

• Technical competency in the following (or ability to learn quickly):
  • Shul cloud
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Google Drive
  • Quick books